joessportster Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 I need to have a Cabinet built plan is to use MDF initially and finish later if testing proves positive. the design is straight forward rectangle I thought butt joints using biscuits / glue along all sides and may reinforce with Brad nails I am wondering about the top and bottoms and which would be stronger setting them on top so they cover all the sides or setting them inside so that all sides surround them. Aesthetics are not a real concern yet. Opinions ? Carl I know you build a lot of cabinets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 No need for brad nails if you clamp while it dries. Top overlapping sides would be easiest and best to support weight. Depending on the span you may need a center brace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted July 3, 2018 Author Share Posted July 3, 2018 Total 44" tall and I plan on center brace. Thanks Carl, I had not thought of the weight issue, No plans to put anything on them but plans are always changing Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 29 minutes ago, joessportster said: Total 44" tall and I plan on center brace. Thanks Carl, I had not thought of the weight issue, No plans to put anything on them but plans are always changing Joe How wide? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mighty Favog Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 Is dovetailing possible with MDF?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 Sorry Joe, you said speaker and I read stereo. I thought you were building a stereo cabinet. I've built sub cabinets that withstood much more pressure than you'll get with a conventional speaker cabinet using butted joints. If the cuts are straight and pieces mate properly they'll never come apart using wood glue or PL Premium. It doesn't matter how you configure the panels. You can always use glue blocks in the corners if you want a little more structural integrity but shouldn't really need them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 10 hours ago, Mighty Favog said: Is dovetailing possible with MDF?? I would think so if you use cabinet grade MDF but it's really hard on bits and blades as you're cutting a lot of hardened glue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDBRbuilder Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 Good luck on dovetailing anything made of MDF...not enough linear fiber in it to keep the dovetails from breaking off when assembling, and if you try to solve that problem by making "looser-fitting" dovetails, you have negated the purpose of dove-tails to begin with....which is a tight joint with no "wiggle-room". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share Posted July 5, 2018 Thanks Carl / All Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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